You Request a review...You get a review.
Faith No More - Angel Dust
I really felt this album should have been on the Rolling Stone "500 greatest album of all time" list. but sadly, it didn't make it.
Faith No More
Billy Gould - Bassist
Mike "Puffy" Bordin - Drums
Jim Martin - Guitars
Roddy Bottum - Keyboards
Mike Patton - Vocals
This album was Faith No More's way of getting back at their newly formed fan base that came from the overplayed "Epic" video on MTV. Everybody had set that song, and that album (
The Real Thing,) to be the peak of Faith No More's talents. This album slapped them all in the face and proved them completely wrong.
While it didn't sell as much as
The Real Thing. and wasn't their easiest album to get into, until maybe after a few listens, you then begin to realize how brilliant this album actually is. This album was also the first of many where Mike Patton really lets his voice, and the characters in his lyrics, go all over the place.
It is full of mood swings, from a song about Oral sex to a song about a black drug dealer who thinks he's Hitler. It is a ride that is worth it.
....The question is, Are you crazy enough to take it?
1.
Land Of Sunshine -
Starts off the album fresh with a circus like feel. Billy Gould's bassline is just "hypnotically catchy." There's almost no real chorus in the song but somehow it's still one hell of a catchy experience. The lyrics to most of the songs on this album were written by Mike Patton while he was having a "sleep deprivation experiment." Through the verses Mike is basically reading the fortune's that you find from inside of Fortune Cookies. And the bridge portions? he's basically mocking TV Infomercials. :D Pure Genius! 5/5
2.
Caffeine -
a very explosive song about Mike's drug of choice. This song was also written during his sleep deprivation experiment. Starts off with farm-like noises, then Jim Martin shows some heavy guitar riffs that can sound as good as any other "Thrash metal" act around at the time. Mike's yelling voice is just amazing here. Especially near the end where he asks "..Do you have something to tell me, say something to me, anything..." and then everything goes crazy! One of my favorite parts that I've ever heard from any song. 4.5/5
3.
Midife Crisis -
This song is just nice. Nothing complicated about this song, It's just a straight up good song. Makes me wonder why it wasn't a hit. Roddy's Keyboards take center stage here. This song is almost reminiscent to their Chuck Mosely era, except of course with better singing. The lyrics had a lot to do with speculation and observation, he was only in his 20's at the time, but they had a lot to do with Madonna as well...Mike felt she was going through something of a midlife crisis. 5/5
4.
RV -
This song is just hilarious. I highly recommend this to any Tenacious D fans out there. I've been known to dedicate this song to myself. :p
It's a very Country-ish song about a lazy, overweight, dead beat dad who just doesn't seem to find happiness anywhere. It's very relateable. Especially the last few lines "...I think it's time I had a talk with my kids, I'll just tell them what my daddy told me, you ain't never gonna amount to nothin'." 5/5
5.
Smaller and Smaller -
This is a very good song. It's very tribal-like. Mike's singing is really emotional sounding. He realy does take the role of his poor character on this song to the extreme. In between this song you can also hear Mike Patton doing some of those chants that you would later hear on Mr. Bungle albums and Fantomas albums in the future. Not much I can say about this song it's just another beauty. 5/5
6.
Everything's Ruined -
Starts off with Roddy's "Happy" keyboard. Then the drum and bass kicks in. Reminiscent of all those "Nu-Metal" bands out there right now. This is where it came from; And only Faith No More made it sound as good as they did. The song is about a kid growing up to be a fraud. 4.5/5
7.
Malpractice -
A really heavy song about a woman who goes to see a Gynecologyst because she is turned on by the fact that he puts her hands in her. This song is full of neat effects, samples, and rhythm changes. Mike's screaming comes back powerful on this song. I love the "Cold hands, Your Hands..." part, Mike Patton sort of resembles Layne Staley there for some reason. perfect. 5/5
8.
Kindergarten -
Another hilarious song. Billy Gould's bassline is just brilliant; he is, IMO, one of the most underrated bassist around. The chorus is just irressistably catchy. In between the song you'll be able to catch Mike Patton playing the role of an auctioneer. Jim Martin's guitar shines the most on this song, I think. 5/5
9.
Be Aggressive -
This is the song I least liked from this album, but that doesn't mean I don't like it. ;)
The eerie keyboards start the song leading you into a funk frenzy song about...gulp...giving head! Originally written by Roddy Bottum, not Mike Patton, for Mike Patton to sing...the band thought it would be funny if Mike would sing about sucking and swallowing and sounding proud of it. And come to think of it, it was funny. :lol: 5/5
10.
A Small Victory -
A song about being a sore loser. It is one of the highlights of the album. Despite the meaning of the song it has a very positive feel. All the instruments sound great. It is a must hear for anyone who hasn't heard of Faith No More. 5/5
11.
Crack Hitler -
A very funky song that reminds me of one of those 80's TV cop sitcoms. There's also a part after the chorus where you could almost picture a bunch of Nazi's marching...Hey!..Hey!...:p This song is about a black guy who's a drug dealer, and takes drugs himself. The drugs make him think highly of himself to the point where he compares himself to Hitler. "...In regards to my usage of the drug, it modified my personality, to the extent that I was highly irritable, I was like a Crack Hitler!" A very funny and cool song. :cool: 4.5/5
12.
Jizzlobber -
This is probably Faith No More's Heaviest song. It's almost like Cradle Of Filth meets The Melvins...Mostly written by Jim Martin. Jim would be kicked out of the band after this album. But I'm glad he didn't leave on a bad note. This is one of the most unique sounding metal songs I've ever heard. Everything from the swamp like intro, Roddy Bottum's eerie keyboards, and Mike Bordin's memorable loud-a
ss drumming...make this one of my favorites. And maybe even yours too. Roddy Bottum's Organ outro just ends this album off perfectly. But wait it's not over yet. 4.5/5
13.
Midnight Cowboy -
This is a theme song to the TV Show. It is considered a bonus track...but it fits great at the end...it's very soothing especially after a monster like "Jizzlobber." There's no lyrics, but they're almost not even necessary...even if that means they're coming from someone like Mike Patton. 4.5/5
This may not be on the Rolling Stone list but it is considered by many people to be one of the top best albums of the 90's.
I'm sorry if my review doesn't cover much. I began typing in a hurry. this stuff almost takes forever. But in the end it's all worth it. Yes indeed...well, OK now I'm just rambling.
But yeah...definitely pick up this CD.
5/5
